« Reply #17 on: Thursday 19 September 13 09:29 BST (UK) »
My OH's great grandmother described herself as a widow from about 1914 onwards to claim a pension; this is documented e.g. when her son died during WW1 his records show her as a widow and his next-of-kin; her husband actually died in 1920 and his death cert shows he was living at that time at the same address as she and the family always lived at! What was happening between them for a about 6 years I do not know!
There is a possibility that Patrick had Catherine committed knowing she would not be released from hospital (based on the reason of commital) and from that time on described himself as a widower.
This was not an unusual occurance unfortunately and something to bear in mind.
Some families would not want to have any associations with a "mental hospital" or "mental illness" and not admit to neighbours and extended family what happened to certain members of their family.
This is something to bear in mind - stating you are a widower does not make it gospel!
Kearney & Bourke/ Johns & Fox/ Mannion & Finan/ Donohoe & Curley
Byrne [Carthy], Keeffe/ Germaine, Butler/ McDermott, Giblin/ Lally, Dolan
Toole, Doran; Dowling, Grogan/ Reilly, Burke; Warren, Kidd [Lawless]/ Smith, Scally; Mangan, Rodgers/ Fahy, Calday; Staunton, Miller
Further generations:
Brophy Coleman Eathorn(e) Fahy Fitzpatrick Geraghty Haverty Keane Keogh Nowlan Rowe Walder